H.E. Dr. Itti Ditbanjong, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Russian Federation, presided over the inaugural ceremony of the Russian ‘MICE Road Show 2013’ on September 12, 2013. The event was jointly organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in Moscow and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) (TCEB).

     The Russian MICE Road Show 2013 is one of the special activities that the Royal Thai Embassy and the Team Thailand in Moscow, together with other Thai public and private agencies, have jointly organized during September 2013 to further promote closer ties and dialogue with Russia in all spheres of cooperation under the main theme of ‘September 2013: Spotlight on Thailand’.

     The Royal Thai Embassy in Moscow realizes the importance of the tourism business in Russia as it continues growing with the estimated increase of Russian tourists traveling to Thailand to reach 1.6 millions by the end of 2013 (from 1.3 millions in 2012) whilst generating national incomes of at least 2,300 million USDs per year. Therefore, the Royal Thai Embassy in Moscow cooperated with the TCEB to co-host this year’s ‘MICE Road Show’ in Russia for the second year in a row.

     With the view of promoting Thailand as the destination of choice for international meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions, the TCEB is convinced that the Road Show will help bring more tourism business opportunities for Thailand in the Russian market. 

     The TCEB is expecting to especially attract Russian business people who tend to pay less attention on budget expenses, but prefer  better hospitality and facilities instead, even during short periods, either before or after their attendance of conferences in Thailand.

     The organization of the Russian MICE Road Show 2013 successfully achieved its endeavor as there were at least fifty Russian prominent tour operators attending the function.